What Makes A Good Data Entry App
We had an internal discussion the other day about what makes a good data entry app. The vast majority of Windows applications I see are lousy for data entry purposes. The discussion was prompted by an Outlook-style app that had a scrolling data-entry form window. My current hit-list for good data entry apps is:
1. Must 100% be able to drive it with a keyboard (good test is to open up your app, put your mouse off to one side and try to work)
2. Tab order must be totally appropriate
3. Must be able to see everything without scrolling (see #1)
4. Feedback on entry errors needs to be immediate but not intrusive (ie: no modal messages, etc.)
5. App needs to logically enable/disable fields based on previous inputs. Tabs take you directly to the next thing to answer
6. Fonts must be appropriate and consistent
7. Entry field sizes must display complete values without the need to scroll to see text (ie textboxes, etc. are big enough)
8. Entry field sizes should relate to the amount of text that can be entered into them (ie two textboxes that both cop 35 chars are the same size and it's big enough)
9. Use of colour is subtle - mostly used for exceptions but occasionally for categorising items when things like grids are used (eg a grid that allows you to enter sales quantity/weight values might have most products black but new ones blue, items on promotion green, etc. but always easy on the eye and non-intrusive)
10. Entry errors are easily rectified/reversed so users feel comfortable "trying" things
11. Actions are responded to in a tactile way 100% of the time. (no wondering if you clicked or hit something)